Wow this week just flew by! It was crazy fast I can't believe its already p-day again. So after we e-mailed we went to the Aquarium (3rd time) and then we raced home to pack our stuff! We met up with the Ginowan and the Naha Zone Leaders and took the monorail to the airport. Then at 7:25 our plane took off to FUKUOKA! As we were landing in Fukuoka and I couldnt help but ponder what my last day in the mission field will be like. I looked back on the first half of my mission and really thought about if I am where I want to be. I still have a lot of growing and learning to do but I am grateful for the wake-up call. The other missionaries were all kinda teasing me because I am what they call an Okinawan Missionary. I was born and raised here and I am going on 8 months here. They were all saying "Welcome to JAPAN!" because Okinawa is SOOO different from actual Japan. The AP's picked us up at the airport and we drove to the mission home. Gustafson Shimai was there to greet us and she showed us to our rooms. It was the weirdest thing ever! I SLEPT ON A REAL BED!! I was scared I was gonna roll off it was so high. I have gotten so used to sleeping on my futon on the floor it was a shock! The next morning we woke up early and Iwasa shimai and I went for a walk around the temple. The mission home is located right underneath the temple! Cool huh!? So we walked around and took pictures! Then the okinawa missionaries got breakfast at the mission home (we are the only ones who have to fly in) then it was time for MLC (Missionary Leadership Training) Sooo fun!! It was soo cool to feel apart of the mission. The ZL's from each of the 8 zones reported to president their progress. There are about one companionship of Sister Training Leaders for every 2 zones. I got to see my beloved doki!! (my friends from the MTC) Sister Kwak and Sister Sharp who I love soooo much!! The training from the APs and kaicho (president) was incredible, but before I knew it we had to be on the plane heading back! We werent even gone 24 hours! But I learned so much!!
Iwasa shimai and I gave two trainings this week first in the Ginowan zone (my old zone) then in Naha zone. Its funny to see the different dynamics of each zone! We had a blast training and interacting with different missionaries!! We talked about finding with faith and being positive and expecting miracles to happen. One new thing that was introduced into the mission was some new standards. AS missionaries in our planner wer have goals. We already have standards to talk to 20 people a day, teach 3 totsuzen lessons(short lessons), give away 1 BofM and invite 1 person to be baptized, but kaicho now gave us a weekly goal for 2 member present lessons, 1 investigator at Sacrament meeting, 1 New investigator, and 1 person with a baptismal date. Even though our week was going to be cut short with our trip to Fukuoka and two days full of trainings, Iwasa Shimai and I committed to fulfill the standards of excellence! Kaicho always promised that if you keep the standards you see miracles....and we did!!! On friday after our training we were out and about doing as missionaries do and we FOUND A KINJIN!!!!!(GOLDEN PERSON) we were stopping and talking to everyone! Usually old people like to talk but never listen to what we have to say, so sometimes (i need to repent of this) I dont stop old ladies because I feel like it might be a waste of time. BUT THIS TIME IS WAS NOT!!! Her name is Miyazato san. We taught her about the Book of Mormon and the purpose of life, she gratefully accepted the Book of Mormon. We set an appointment to meet with her the next day! We were able to teach her with a member and then she came to church on Sunday!!
God is a God of miracles. Many other miracles happened as we were showed our faith and worked hard!! I love being a missionary. I honestly cannot think of a time in my life that I was happier than I am now. I love talking to people on the street and testifying of Jesus Christ. Even though people do not accept us most of the time, I trust in the Lord that he is preparing someone for us to teach. We see so many people everyday and we cannot know if they will accept or reject the gospel UNTIL we talk to them... Lift up your voice, share what you know to be true. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the Earth by the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know we are draw close to our Savior through reading the Book of Mormon! Pray and seek for opportunities to bear your testimony! As you do so you will be happier!!!
I love you all!!
Capener Shimai
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